‘Ramon’ weakens to a tropical depression after landfall–Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines – The weather disturbance tagged “Ramon” weakened to a tropical depression after it made landfall early Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

In its latest weather bulletin issued at 11 am, Pagasa said that Ramon was seen 30 km northeast of Roxas City and was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center.

“Ramon’’ weakened after hitting the mountains in Southern Leyte following its 6 a.m. landfall.

As it passed 80 km north of Cebu at 7 a.m., Ramon was forecast to cross Panay island between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, Pagasa weather forecaster Samuel Duran told the Inquirer by phone.

The tropical depression was forecast to move west northwest at 19 kph.

Signal number 1 remains raised over Marinduque, Mindoro Provinces, Romblon, Southern Quezon, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Albay¸ Burias Island, Ticao Island, Masbate, Northern Palawan, Calamian Group of Islands, Panay Island,
Guimaras Island and Northern Negros Occidental.

“These areas should expect rains and gusty winds,” Duran said.

Storm signal warnings elsewhere were lowered, the state-run weather bureau said.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas where storm signals were raised were alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

“Estimated rainfall amount is from 10 – 30 mm per hour (heavy) within the 400 km diameter of the Tropical Depression,” Pagasa said.

Thursday morning Ramon was forecast to be 190 km west of Calapan City and by Friday morning the tropical depression was expected to be 420 km west of Dagupan City. By Saturday morning, Ramon was expected 560 km west of Laoag City.

Metro Manila should expect light to moderate rain Thursday or Friday, Duran added. TJ Burgonio, Philippine Daily Inquirer